Meng Ju Liu, a 2022‑resident of Ohio, became a lawful permanent resident in 2002 and lodged an N‑400 application in April 2025. Yet the case has languished on a shelf for 18 months, with no interview notice issued. Liu’s lawsuit demands that federal officials finish security checks, reuse existing fingerprints, and schedule an interview within 30 days.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) publicly posts a 9.5‑month processing time for 80 percent of cases in Cincinnati, but Liu’s status remained “processing” as of May 2, 2026. He argues that the delay violates reasonable processing standards and undermines his business, which exports Kansas rice to overseas markets.
In response, a DHS spokesperson emphasized that citizenship remains a privilege and that USCIS is working to overhaul the process. Immigration attorney Kevin J. Andrews notes that the lawsuit coincides with DHS’s claim that naturalizations have dropped 75 percent, and that a mandamus suit often leads to an interview notice.
The case is still pending a hearing date. Liu seeks a court order that USCIS complete his case within 30 days, setting a potential benchmark for other applicants facing similar delays.